Last month, I had the opportunity to visit Sukhothai province and participate in various activities, including staying at two resorts in Sukhothai. I would like to share my experiences with everyone, but to avoid being too long-winded, I will divide it into several parts. This first part will focus on Legendha Sukhothai Resort, which was the most memorable part of my trip.

In my opinion, the strengths of Legendha Sukhothai are as follows:

• The resort boasts a beautiful and authentic Thai design, both in its interior and exterior.

• Lush greenery with abundant trees, offering picturesque spots for photography.

• The resort is themed around traditional Thai culture, evident in its décor, staff attire, cuisine, and activities. Guests can participate in activities such as amulet making, garland weaving, pla ta pien fish weaving, and donning traditional Thai attire for photo opportunities within the resort.

• The food is delicious and there is a wide variety of Thai food to choose from, including a unique and stylish breakfast line.

• Free Thai classical dance performances are available in the early evening.

• The resort is located next to the Chedi of Wat Chang Lom, a beautiful and important Sukhothai-era chedi that is over 600 years old, allowing us to walk and admire its beauty at any time.

• The resort is conveniently located on the main road and within close proximity to the Sukhothai Historical Park. Guests can borrow bicycles from the resort to explore the beauty of Thailand's ancient kingdom within a 10-minute ride.

To illustrate the proximity of the hotel to Sukhothai Historical Park, I have included a map that clearly shows their close proximity.

Upon arrival, guests can park their vehicles in the spacious parking area located in front of the resort. A picturesque red wooden bridge leads to the lobby, where guests are greeted by friendly staff in traditional Thai attire. The lobby itself boasts a beautiful Thai-inspired design.

The welcome drink at this establishment is served in a unique container. On the day of my visit, it was guava juice, which was refreshingly sweet.

After checking in and receiving our key card, it's time to explore our room. Legendha Sukhothai offers three room types:

• Superior (Room size 28 sq.m.)

• Deluxe (32 sqm)

• Villa (60 sq.m. room size)

The room I stayed in was a Deluxe room. The rooms are located in a row of traditional Thai-style houses that are visually appealing. Upon entering the room, I was greeted by a faint, pleasant aroma and a traditional Thai-style interior that was very inviting and conducive to relaxation.

The room is fully equipped with amenities such as a TV, refrigerator, electric kettle, hairdryer, umbrella, and Thai-style chairs and sofas with cushions. Anyone who loves the atmosphere of old Thailand will definitely be impressed by this place. I personally liked this room very much. However, if there is anything that needs to be deducted, I would deduct points for the lack of a wardrobe in the room. Instead, the resort uses an open clothes rack, and there is no small drying rack for wet clothes. This caused a lot of problems for me and my friends because we had to hang our wet clothes on the chairs in front of the room instead.

The bathroom is spacious and maintains a Thai aesthetic that complements the rest of the space. The wooden door with its traditional wooden latch is a stylish touch that evokes a sense of nostalgia. The decor features exposed concrete walls with tiled accents and beautiful artwork, adding a vibrant touch to the space.

Amenities and Bathroom Facilities

The resort provides a comprehensive range of bathroom amenities, including soap, shower gel, shampoo, shower caps, and cotton buds, all conveniently packaged in individual sizes suitable for a 1-2 day stay. The toilet is equipped with a bidet spray, and the shower offers strong water pressure for a refreshing shower experience.

The bathroom also includes a bathtub, which is combined with the shower. This has the advantage of saving space, but it also has the disadvantage of requiring you to step over the bathtub if you want to take a regular shower. Some people may find this inconvenient.

The Deluxe room category at Legendha offers the most rooms, resulting in a variety of views. My room had a view of a lush green garden, while the room below had a pool view. The layout of the room below differed slightly from mine.

The resort also offers newly renovated Deluxe rooms, which feature a luxurious yet relaxing green color scheme. Notably, these new rooms do not have bathtubs. Therefore, it is recommended to inquire with the resort about the available room types before booking a Deluxe room to ensure you select the option that best suits your preferences.

Let's move on to other room types for those interested in staying here. The first room we will explore is the Superior room. It is similar to the Deluxe room, but slightly smaller and lacks a balcony.

The final room type is the Villa, located on the second floor of the building with only two units available. Each Villa has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, accommodating up to four guests. Additional guests can be accommodated by adding an extra bed between the two bedrooms. The resort sells the Villas as a whole unit, including both rooms. Therefore, I believe this room type is ideal for families or small groups of friends seeking privacy.

After exploring the rooms, we ventured out to discover the various activities offered within and around the resort. Our first stop was the traditional Thai massage parlor and the swimming pool, both conveniently located nearby. While some of us opted for a relaxing massage, my friends and I decided to take a dip in the stunning pool, its beauty perfectly complementing our handsome features. ><

The Legend's swimming pool is a saltwater pool with a separate children's pool and in-pool jacuzzi. The pool is open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Thai massage is available from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

The resort offers a variety of photogenic locations, including a red wooden bridge at the front entrance, a stylish suspension bridge at the back, a library, and gardens and chairs that reflect Thai culture. For a truly unique experience, guests can rent traditional Thai attire for 250 baht per set. The stunning photos you'll capture will be well worth the cost, and your friends will be sure to shower you with likes on social media when you share them. They'll be dying to know where you're staying!

Note: Thai costume rentals are available from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Please inquire with staff for the rental location.

In addition, every evening, Legendha opens an activity area opposite the food court near the red wooden bridge, called "Silp Sukhothai". This area will be a center for traditional Sukhothai activities such as garland weaving, pla ta-pien weaving, Thai dessert or food making, and even special activities like printing and baking amulets with a "thu-rieng" kiln, which is an ancient Sukhothai tradition of printing amulets for temples. Anyone interested in any of these activities can drop by. Some activities are free, while others have a fee. For example, printing an amulet costs 250 baht per person.

After the resort activities, let's move outside. Starting with the "Chedi Wat Chang Lom", an ancient Sukhothai-era pagoda over 600 years old, just a few steps away. Getting there is easy. Just exit the resort through the gate with the suspension bridge and cross the small road. It's that close.

Explore the Beauty of Sukhothai Historical Park by Bicycle

After admiring the stunning Wat Chang Lom, let's head to the magnificent Sukhothai Historical Park. For those without personal transportation or seeking a leisurely and healthy experience, I recommend borrowing a bicycle from the resort and cycling to the park. The ride takes less than 10 minutes. This convenient and free bicycle rental service allows you to explore the ancient city at your own pace. Upon arrival at the park, purchase an entrance ticket for only 20 baht (Thai citizen price) and embark on a captivating journey through the historical wonders of Sukhothai. This budget-friendly option offers a delightful and convenient way to immerse yourself in the rich history and beauty of this ancient city.

For those who drive, you will need to find parking at the entrance of the historical park and choose how you would like to explore the park. You can either rent a bicycle for 30 baht/day or take a tram for 30 baht/person (Thai price). If you are young, energetic, and want to take a lot of photos, I recommend renting a bicycle. It will be more fun and give you more freedom. Don't worry about getting lost; it's impossible to get lost in the park. However, if you are still worried, you can bring a map with you. This trip will surely be enjoyable and memorable.

Besides cycling and taking the tram, another way to explore the Sukhothai Historical Park is by riding an ox-cart, just like in the old days. This costs 300 baht per trip and can accommodate up to 6 people (an average of 50 baht per person). The most popular route is from the front of the Phra Buddha Sirimariyachaya Hall to Wat Si Chum, a renowned temple during the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods, particularly famous for the legend of the talking Buddha.

Note: The carts are equipped with awnings for sun protection. However, according to ancient customs, only women traditionally wear them. But I think if you're hot, just wear it. Don't suffer! T____T

Sri Chum Temple, whose name derives from the local term for "bodhi tree," is situated northwest of Sukhothai Historical Park. The temple houses a large statue of the Buddha in the Marawijai posture, measuring 11.30 meters wide and 15 meters tall. Known as "Phra Achana," the statue was renowned for its sacredness during that era. It is believed that the temple was constructed during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng. Later, when King Naresuan the Great declared independence in 1684 at Kraeng City, various cities ceased paying tribute to Burma. However, Chiang Liang (Sawankhalok) refused to comply with the king's decree. Consequently, the king led his army to subdue Chiang Liang, gathering his troops at Sri Chum Temple before attacking the city. As the battle pitted Thais against Thais, the soldiers lacked the will to fight. King Naresuan devised a plan to boost their morale by having one soldier climb behind the Buddha statue and address the troops, inspiring them to fight. This event gave rise to the legend of the "talking Buddha" at the temple. Additionally, King Naresuan performed the water-drinking oath ceremony at this temple.

Note: The rear entrance to the Buddha statue is currently closed to the public.

After a long day of exploring outside the resort, it's time to return and recharge. I recommend arriving back at the resort no later than 5:00 PM to enjoy a leisurely stroll while admiring the stunning sunset. Additionally, you can witness the various activities at "Silp Sukhothai" and savor a delicious dinner while enjoying a traditional Thai dance performance at the Namkhang Garden Restaurant. Having sampled 5-6 dishes myself, I can confidently say that the food is exceptional and will undoubtedly please your palate.

After enjoying a delicious meal and a beautiful performance, it's time to take a bath and go to bed. At most hotels or resorts, the next morning's activities are limited to breakfast and check-out. However, for those staying here, I recommend a special activity: waking up to offer alms at Wat Traphang Thong, an ancient temple with stunning architecture and a large pond within its grounds. This pond has been used for domestic water consumption since ancient times, and the island in the center of the pond houses the temple's beautiful and historically significant ancient structures.

Reaching the temple is effortless. Simply borrow a bicycle from the resort and cycle towards Sukhothai Historical Park. Within 5 minutes, you will see the market and Wat Traphang Thong prominently on your left. No need to worry about offerings for the monks; the market conveniently sells pre-packaged sets for your convenience.

Note: The monks' alms round typically begins around 6:20 AM. They start from the temple, walk across a wooden bridge to a central island with an old pagoda, and then cross another wooden bridge to reach the road. Therefore, those who have planned their photo angles well will surely capture images of the monks with the old pagoda in the background. However, for me, who was unaware of this, it goes without saying that I unfortunately missed this angle. T____T

After making merit by offering food to the monks for auspiciousness, it's time to head back for breakfast at the Legendha's Namkhang Restaurant.

The breakfast buffet at Legend was average, not particularly extensive. However, what impressed me most was the traditional Thai dessert station, offering treats like "khanom krok" (coconut pancakes), "khanom ba bin" (coconut and palm sugar pancakes), coconut cake, banana cake, and other delicacies. I must say, I've stayed at many hotels, but this is the first time I've encountered such a unique food station.

The breakfast buffet offers a variety of options, including bacon, sausages, pastries, salads, two or three hot dishes, an egg station, cereals, desserts, and fruits. The overall taste is good, with nothing to complain about. For those who want to enjoy the fresh air, I recommend choosing a table by the canal. The morning air is particularly pleasant.

This concludes my experience staying at Legendha Sukhothai Resort from June 29th to 30th, 2017. For clarity, I have summarized my review below:

Design: I particularly admire the design, which is both elegant and stylish, with a distinctly Thai aesthetic. The consistent theme extends from the room design, staff uniforms, and activities to the food selection, making it an ideal complement to its location near Sukhothai Historical Park.

Cleanliness: The common areas and rooms were spotless, with only a few fallen leaves on the ground, which is to be expected given the resort's abundance of trees.

Amenities: The room comes fully equipped with all essential necessities. The Wi-Fi signal is strong, stable, and covers the entire area. The common areas offer a wide range of amenities, including Thai massage, an activity court, a swimming pool, a library, and even bicycle rentals for exploring the surroundings. This aspect definitely earns full marks from me.

Location: In my opinion, the location of Legendha is excellent. It is situated on the main road leading to Sukhothai Historical Park, making it easy to find. Additionally, if you need to hire a car within the city, the drivers are likely to be familiar with the resort.

Sleep: The bed, pillows, and blankets were comfortable and soft, and the air conditioning was cool and refreshing. There was also a pleasant, faint scent in the room. Overall, the sleeping experience was excellent. However, I would like to warn potential guests that the resort is very close to nature, so there are quite a few mosquitoes at night. If you are allergic to mosquitoes, you should be prepared. Also, be sure to open and close the door quickly when entering or exiting your room at night to prevent mosquitoes from entering and disrupting your sleep.

Employee Service: The service was excellent, and the staff were very friendly and welcoming. They always greeted me with a smile, no matter where I encountered them.

Breakfast:

The breakfast buffet offered a moderate variety of dishes, each boasting exceptional flavor. The ambiance was delightful, and the unique Thai dessert station, unlike anything I've encountered before, was a particularly impressive touch. This element alone is likely to garner significant praise from international guests.

Summary: Legendha Sukhothai is a resort that impressed me greatly. If I have the opportunity to return to Sukhothai, it will be my top choice for accommodation. The resort's lush Thai-style atmosphere, beautiful design, and activities that reflect Thai culture make it a perfect choice for both international and Thai tourists. Its proximity to the Chedi of Wat Chang Lom and Sukhothai Historical Park makes it ideal for families with young children or elderly parents who want to experience the rich history of Thailand. However, the resort's ambiance and pricing may not be suitable for budget-conscious young travelers.

That concludes our review. If there are any omissions or errors, I apologize. This review is based solely on my personal experience on the day of my visit. Each individual's experience may vary. If you enjoy my reviews, please follow or provide feedback here: https://www.facebook.com/amazingcouples

Thank you to everyone who has followed me to the end. See you again in the next review. Goodbye.